Accuracy of data in abstracts of published research articles

Context The section of a research article most likely to be read is the abs tract, and therefore it is particularly important that the abstract reflect the article faithfully. Objective To assess abstracts accompanying research articles published in 6 medical journals with respect to whether data in the abstract could be ver ified in the article itself. Design Analysis of simple random samples of 44 articles and their accompany ing abstracts published during 1 year (July 1, 1996-June 30, 1997) in each of 5 major general medical journals (Annals of Internal Medicine, BMI, JAMA , Lancet, and New England Journal of Medicine) and a consecutive sample of 44 articles published during 1 5 months (July 1, 1996-August 15, 1997) in t he CMAJ. Main Outcome Measure Abstracts were considered deficientif they contained d ata that were either inconsistent with corresponding data in the article's body (including tables and figures) or not found in the body at all. Results The proportion of deficient abstracts varied widely (18%-68%) and t o a statistically significant degree (P<.001) among the 6 journals studied. Conclusions Data in the abstract that are inconsistent with or absent from the article's body are common, even in large-circulation general medical jo urnals.